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What about airbrush tanning? I feel like it's easier to control how dark you get with that. Plus it's better for you and all that. Not sure if that will help protect you from getting burned in Jamaica, tho...
@hilsy85: Lol. No it won't, so no go. I'm not actually interested in the LOOK of a tan. I just want to "warm up" the skin a bit since I haven't been in the sun for months, and that's when people tend to burn the worst. Thanks for the idea though. It would def. be a safer way to go if I wanted the look of a tan.
I would ask the person working at the tanning place to be sure. I would maybe go for 5 mins 1st time then 7 & 7 again.And because you said you are fair I would not suggest a spray tan they normally dont come out well on fair skinned people.
Heading to a tanning bed for 2 or 3 visits before your vacation is pretty harmless, and will help you avoid serious sunburns while you're there. Airbrush or mystic tans are NOT going to help (well, you'll look less pale, but you may end up sunburned under your skin dye and that's not cool). You have to be just a vigilant with the SPF 10000 when you're outdoors if you've gotten a airbrush or mystic tan.
I would recommend going to a reputable tanning-only place -- some big chains include Tan Co, Hollywood Tan, etc. The people there will be able to look at you, ask you some questions, and let you know what the best course to proceed is. I would not recommend going to a cheap place in the back of a nail salon if you're new at it.
Different tanning beds have different time limits; the standard is 15 or 20 minutes, but higher-end ones might only be 10 or 12. 7 minutes in a 20-minute bed is a whole lot less exposure than in a 12 minute bed...that's where you should rely on the tan salon employees. Tell them what you're hoping to accomplish and you only plan on a couple visits, because else they will probably try to convinvce you to get an automatic membership, like at a gym, and that won't be what you want.
You can buy a sample size packet of tanning lotion for about $4 at a salon, and it will last for 2 visits...or just use regular moisturizing lotion before you go. That's the most important part of the 'accelerator' -- keeping your skin hydrated.
I would start going ASAP because if you're fair, you'll probably still be red for a day or so before you get color. I used to tan every once in a while and would do upright tanning bed for something around 7-9 minutes. How tan you'll get all depends on how new the bulbs are in the bed. I always put a little sunscreen on my face, but I think that might be just me being odd... I would say space the sessions out as much as you can and start earlier- you don't want to have any redness.
i am not a fan of tanning beds but i too will be using one right before my wedding/honeymoon mostly because i dont want to burn! it really depends on the beds and how new the bulbs are, i would ask the people who own the salon but i would suggest starting at 6 minutes and working your way up especially if its a stand up bed. i find them to be a little more powerful than the lay downs.
@coffeekitty: Ahh you are going to couples sans souci!!! Need any refreshers before you go?? If you meet Barrington - he is AWESOME. Same with Sandi the cleaning lady. Definitely do the Dunns River falls trip!!! My old username was clarebee and I wrote you that whole long email! I cant believe its been 2 months since I went!! :-( Just a warning - if you do a Bob Marley shot you will be in bed by 8 PM!!! Have fun - Im jealous! And I wouldnt worry too much about burning - I am very fair and burn very easily and dont go out in the sun that often. I just wore 50 SPF everyday and I was fine - did not get burnt at all. The sun really was not stronger there.....
Definitely talk to the people at your salons all the beds are different and they can get the best judgement on your skin tone.. I would say 2 times will not be enough for the base youre looking for the escape the burn in jamaica.... I suggest start now... see where you are in 2 sessions... at least this will give you time
honestly, if you are only going to go a few times before your trip, I wouldn't waste the money. Three times in a tanning bed isn't going to really give you any color at all. I'd just go to Jamaica and use SPF :)
Even in a normal bed 7 minutes with a tanning lotion might be too much for you. It really is better to start REALLY slow. Maybe 5 minutes the first time and see how that goes.
@TaterTot26: I dont agree at all. Even 1 time tanning gives me TONS of color.
I went to Palm Springs in June and was completely fair and didn't burn at all. Copious amounts of sun tan lotion does actually work. But I also wasn't trying to tan there, so I was sitting under an umberalla a lot of the time.
@mishelleez: It totally depends on the person. Tanning one time in a bed for 5-7 minutes will not do anything at all for me. And I am very fair skinned.
CoffeeKitty - I really would not waste your money on this! I can tell you that the Sans Souci swimming pool is not directly in the sun - it is a little shaded because of the trees surrounding it. (Unless you go to the mineral pool which is more sunny) The beach area is in a cove and it is also surrounded by trees. Many of the loungers or underneath the trees and the whole beach area is very shaded. Unless you just like floating on the water you most likely will spend more time at the pool than on the beach. The beach area is just not that good. I preferred the pool much more because you could float/lounge and there was the swim up bar. The ocean got somewhat boring because all you do is float in this roped off area - the waves pull you back into the shoreline and then you sort of get beached on your float! Anyways, unless you dont plan on using high SPF sunscreen I really would not worry about this.
I have the exact same type of skin you have. Very pale, burns easily. I don't tan at all. But i have tanned in beds exactly twice, before my vacation to the Bahamas and to Hawaii.
I recommend starting out slow. 3-4 minute intervals, slowly building up time. Add 1 or 2 minutes each time, but make sure that your skin is handling. If you start to burn, stay at the same time.
I agree that going tanning twice is not going to do anything for you with the type of skin you have. I have tanned for a month before my vacations (going every 3 or 4 days) and just barely got a base tan. The good news is that once I had that base tan, I did not burn on vacation at all, which is SO unlike me. I actually have a real tan from hawaii and I attribute it to the base tan I got at the tanning bed.
If you're getting married in November (and going on your honeymoon immediately after), start now!
What about really good sunblock? I don't really think the "base tan" theory has been scientifically proven. A suntan is still evidence of skin damage, just like a sunburn. Sorry if I sound preachy. I have skin similar to yours and I know it's a PITA to wear sunblock, but it's just what you have to do.
p.s. I couldn't answer your poll. I am actually waiting until Saturday to buy the candy because I know I would be eating it all, otherwise.
tanning = bad
sunscreen = good
i'm fair, too. don't waste your money going to a tanning bed. just bring really good sunblock & be mindful about being out in the sun & reapply! there is no such thing as a "base tan" -- going to a tanning salon is equivalent of putting on SPF 4, which for anyone who is fair is going to do jack.
@PitBulLover: Hey lady! Good to hear from you! Thanks for the advice. I can't wait!!! =)
@mishelleez: I agree with you. I haven't tanned in years, but after 2 sessions, I can always see a difference. I'm hoping that little difference is enough! =)
@coffeekitty: I have tanned at several different places, and when I first go, I always ask the person at the tanning salon what they recommend for me based on my skin and how long it has been since I've tanned. They really have never steered me wrong 
I do also suggest that when you go to Jamaica, you also wear sunblock. The sun can be pretty strong, regardless of being tan or not. When I was in Hawaii, I put on sunblock, still got some color, and didn't burn.
@coffeekitty: HI hi :-) Im so jealous!!! If you like meat DEFINITELY eat the empanadas at the Beach Grill - they are the BEST! Also, remember that the best dinner is probably Bella Vista (Beach Grill) Dont worry about getting water shoes because they sell them EVERYWHERE!!! If you have a chance to do the Bob marley tour Ive heard its one of the best experiences on the island!!
@ribbons: I'm hoping to get a killer tan in my 8 days there...hopefully it doesn't rain the whole time...
i concur with those that said to ask the people who work there. i do think you should go just because it will help you if you have a base tan... i know after 3 sessions i can definately tell a big difference and i am pretty fair skinned. tanning in a bed 3 times is better than gettin toasted in jamaica :)
@coffeekitty: We went in the middle of hurricane season and it only REALLY rained once. It was really nice though because of how hot it was and during that time we just sat on our balcony and watched the rain. People still stayed in the pool and on the beach during the rain! I highly doubt it will rain the whole time while you are there! And anyways...its not rain, its liquid sunshine - its Irie - youllsee what I mean...once you go, you know.
@PitBulLover: Just saw your seconed post. I actually plan to use 30 during the heat of the day and 8 at all other times. I wanna get a killer tan if the sunshine prevails.
@missrobots: hahaha that made me lauGH. i wish I waited because I ate 5 or 6 minicandybars last night. I know tanning is bad. I just love how I look with a tan, and don't want to waste the opportunity to get one.
@coffeekitty: I'm getting married in mexico and plan on base tanning as well. I do it almost everytime before a vacation down south just to get my skin used to being in the UV rays (I'm fair skinned as well). I used to tan a lot as a teen (bad I know), but now it's only to do the pre-vacation tan.
If you want to get a jump start before you leave and are only going to go 2-3 times you should try getting into a "super" or "ultra" bed that has a face tanner. The bulbs in this bed are stronger so for your first time you should limit yourself to only 4-5 mins. The bonus of having the face and neck tanner is that it gives your face a head start too and your shoulders get a much nicer glow going on. Bronzing tanning lotions are great too.
I've just recently been talking to one of the girls here in town and she told me one of the new trends is to use the "oxygen bar" before hitting the tanning beds. I don't know if you have one in town, but she told me if you use the "oxygen bar" before tanning it increses your skins ability to tan because of the increased oxygen in your system. Bascially the tanning salon here now lets you sit there with an oxygen mask on with fruity flavor for 15 mins then hit the beds! It also relieves nasty hang overs. Worth a try if you have it available to you!
@mrs.peters.to.be: i'm afraid of the super beds...i plan to cover my face too. my face gets sun everyday, so i'm not as worried about that. Also, I wear SPF 45 on my face everyday.
so back to the super beds...do you think they are better in any other way or are they just stronger?
@coffeekitty: I'm not sure what the beds are like in your area, but I always feel like I'm wasting my money on the regular beds. They do very little for me over longer periods of time, whereas the super beds have a stronger effect over a shorter period of time.
Some of those people who advocate against tanning beds might have my head if I don't also mention that super beds emit more UV rays and that's why they are stronger. I've always found them to be more efficient though. The time it takes me to have a little color show in a regular bed for the first time (after not tanning for a while) is about 10 minutes (any longer and I'll burn), but with the super bed it's more like 4-5 minutes. Although the bulbs are stronger you're cutting your exposure time in half. When I use the super beds I always make sure to cover large freckles and moles with a 60 spf (just be careful not to get it anywhere else or you'll have spots!).
Another good option about the beds with face tanners is many of them allow you to turn the face tanner off. So realistically this bed might be better for you if you don't want to tan your face because that entire section of the bed can be switched off from inside so you don't have to cover your face with a towel or the likes.
Your final option is to get a "hot action" accelerating lotion. This bring all your red blood cells to the surface of your skin and makes tanning quicker (similar to the idea of infusing your blood with pure oxygen from the "oxygen bar"). You'll look like a tomato afterward, but it only lasts for about 10-15 minutes and you're back to normal. These lotions are a good way to cut back on your exposure time to UV rays as well.
Hope this info helps :)
@mrs.peters.to.be: what is this "hot action" is that the same as...what do they call it..."sizzle"? tingle? i8'm afraid i'll ask for the wrong thing!
@coffeekitty: Yes I believe it says anything from "hot action" to sizzling, tingling, stimulating, accelerating, etc. If you mention accelerating or hot action lotion to anyone who works at a tanning salon they'll know what you mean.
Another thing to note if you're hitting the beds: we've had a problem in my town where skin fungus has spread. Make sure your bed is clean before you go to lie down on it. If you're ever in doubt don't feel bad about spraying it down yourself (the place I go leaves the sanitizer out) or asking one of the girls to do it again or to let you. It's better to be safe than sorry! (Nothing too serious, but it would suck to be splotchy before a vacation!)
@mrs.peters.to.be: agreed. i worry about that too...i will make sure it's cleaned, even if they think i'm crazy. =)
UPDATE: I went to a tanning salon, got a 7-day package and a bottle of SOY DARK tan accelerator lotion. I did a super bed once and a stand-up twice. I'm looking a little darker! I plan to go once more.
Every time you use a tanning bed you are damaging your skin and giving yourself a greater risk of getting skin cancer.
Tanning on a tanning bed is just as dangerous as tanning from the sun.
There was an incident in Australia recently were a girl in her 20s died from melanoma after using tanning beds.
We get a lot of sun exposure education here in Australia (highest incidents of skin cancer in the world). Tanning damages your skin, leads to premature aging (wrinkles!) and increases your risk of cancer.
If you want a tanned look, use spray on tans and lots of sunscreen.
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Hello ladies,
I would like to hear from those of you who are familiar with tanning in tanning beds. I plan to do a little tanning before I head off to Jamaica in 11 days.
I'm fair skinned and I just want to get a little bit of base tan so I'm less likely to get a sunburn my first day there.
What service do you recommend? And how long? I was thinking 2 sessions in a regular bed with some kind of tan exelerator lotion for maybe 7 minutes each time...I was going to go today and then again midweek next week. I could fit a third in if needed...
Is that not enough? What do you think? And keep in mind I do tan, but I am also the type to burn easily and I have pretty fair skin. Not the fairest, but in face makeup I'm like the second color from the lightest.
Thanks in advance.